T-Mobile’s new Nokia Lumia 521 Windows Phone 8 handset hits the FCC

Nokia’s cheapest Windows Phone 8 device to date is called Lumia 520 globally, but you’ll be able to buy it as the Lumia 521 from T-Mobile USA.

The fourth largest US carrier has already confirmed it would launch the new Lumia, but didn’t specify an exact release date. However, that’s probably not far now, as the smartphone (going by the model number RM-917) has been approved by the FCC today.

Unsurprisingly, the Lumia 521 has AWS connectivity, and it will be (probably) marketed by T-Mobile as a 4G HSPA+ device. That aside, expect from the new WP8 handset to offer: a 4 inch display with 800 x 480 pixels, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS, Bluetoth 3.0, dual-core 1GHz Qualcomm processor, Adreno 305 GPU, 5MP rear camera, 521MB of RAM, MicroSD card support (up to 64GB), 8GB of internal memory, and a 1,430 mAh battery.

I guess T-Mobile will sell the Nokia Lumia 521 for free on contract. The carrier is already selling two Windows Phone 8 handsets – Nokia Lumia 810, and HTC 8X, both offered for $0 with new 2-yr contract agreements.

US aside, the Lumia 520 is going to be released almost all over the world soon, including in major markets like China and India – where the smartphone has considerable chances to become a best-seller.